Ukraine is ready to launch its long-expected counter-offensive against Russian forces, one of the country's most senior security officials has told the BBC. Oleksiy Danilov would not name a date but said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin's occupying forces could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week". Also in the programme: A BBC investigation has seen evidence that both sides in Sudan's conflict could be carrying out war crimes on medical facilities and staff; and Henry Kissinger - one of the dominant figures in twentieth century US diplomacy - turns one- hundred today. (Photo: Ukrainian troops have spent months training on Western equipment ahead of the expected attack. Credit: Getty Images)

The governor of Russia’s southwestern Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said areas had come under heavy bombardment, suffering intense artillery and mortar shelling. He spoke of Ukraine hitting a whole string of villages following the arc of Russia’s border. Also on the programme: We hear from Ayse Bugra, the wife of Turkish political prisoner Osman Kavala, ahead of the country’s election on Sunday. And the love of sleeper trains and why they are making a comeback. (Image: Belgorod regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Credit: Sputnik/Reuters)

A Russian missile's struck a clinic in Ukraine; we'll hear how Ukrainian surgeons are learning to deal with warzone injuries. Also in the programme: the Venezuelan government's army of twitter trolls; and the Afghan film-maker hoping to bring the suffering of Afghan women under the Taliban to a wider audience thanks to some Hollywood stardust. (Photo: Rescuers work at the site of a clinic heavily destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine May 26, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Mykola Synelnykov)

Long: The head of Russia’s Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said they'd begun handing over control of the captured Ukrainian city to Moscow's army. Ukraine has dismissed claims that Bakhmut has fallen to Russia. We hear from military analyst Justin Crump on what we know so far. Also on the programme: Net migration into Britain reaches a record high, and we hear from a scientist who used AI to discover a new antibiotic. (Photo: An aerial view shows destructions in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Credit: Reuters)

A conversation with Twitter's owner Elon Musk was delayed when the platform malfunctioned. Ron DeSantis is seeking the Republican nomination for 2024's US presidential election. Also on the programme, Russia's Wagner mercenary group says its forces have begun withdrawing from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. And we hear the story of a paralysed man who can walk again, thanks to AI. (Picture: Ron DeSantis launches his campaign to be the Republican presidential candidate. Credit: Reuters)